Need Recommendations for Wi-Fi Router for nbn FTTP & Sonos

Pbm33 on 17/01/2024 - 21:00
Last edited 17/01/2024 - 21:48 by 1 other user

Hi guys, can I please get some recommendations for a router which will be compatible with:
1) nbn FTTP connection, and
2) the Optus Home Superfast 250/25Mbps plan, and
3) Sonos gear

Have in the past gone with the modem/router which Optus provides but I've had ongoing issues with my Sonos system, and I suspect it's the Optus provided modem/router causing it.

Currently am on a FTTC connection, Optus NBN 50 plan, with a Optus provided modem/router.

Also buying my own router will give me flexibility to switch NBN providers.

I'm in a double storey brick veneer duplex, and the Optus provided modem/router provides coverage to the whole place - so don't think I would need mesh or extenders.

From the Sonos website:
All Sonos products can connect to wireless routers or access points that support 802.11b/g WiFi over 2.4GHz.
Additionally, all Sonos products can connect to WiFi networks that use WPA1 and WPA2 Personal security standards, as well as unsecured WiFi networks.

Unsupported network setups and devices:
- Wireless internet connections such as satellite, mobile hotspots, or LTE routers
- Guest networks or networks that use a portal login page
- Networks using wireless range extenders
- Ethernet over Power (EOP) devices
- WPA/WPA2 Enterprise

Would appreciate some recommendations - ideally <$200 (and the cheaper the better!).

Thanks!

• 

  Elegant Giant on 17/01/2024 - 21:56

  If all your Sonos gear is huddled in the one area, you could get a router to only connect to your Sonos gear (a lower end or older router) - using the router in access point mode would put it on the same network as the other devices, so you could still connect to them.

  • 

    Pbm33 on 17/01/2024 - 21:59

    Sorry I'm a noob at this stuff.. you'll have to explain in more detail.

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  danielbowen on 17/01/2024 - 22:10

  Have you tried wiring one of the Sonos devices to your router?

  This creates "SonosNet" where the remaining Sonos devices set up their own mesh network and use that between each other.

  https://www.reddit.com/r/sonos/comments/upva00/can_someone_b…

  The caveat is they're phasing it out, so some of the newer speakers (Era 300, Era 100) don't have it.

  • 

    Pbm33 on 17/01/2024 - 22:11

    Should add only have one Sonos device at present - a Playbar.

    Connecting it to the router using an ethernet cable will be an eyesore in the main lounge.

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  apple2016 on 18/01/2024 - 10:53

  All Sonos products can connect to wireless routers or access points that support 802.11b/g WiFi over 2.4GHz.

  That's the problem. Sonos are still stuck in the 80's WiFi!
  Many routers will allow you to create a wifi network that only operates on 2.4 Ghz. This is essential for Sonos.
  I would suggest a Ubiquiti unifi dream router or dream machine

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  redforever on 18/01/2024 - 14:48

  With your optus modem, were you using only a single wifi network? Have you tried configuring it such that it operates separate 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks?
  Not sure about optus bit with telstra smart modem, you need to disable band steering under wifi config tab.

  • 

    Pbm33 on 18/01/2024 - 17:01

    Yeh I had band steering turned off - have now turned it back on though.

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  Pufff on 19/01/2024 - 20:18

  I use a tplink Deco m5 mesh for my devices including an arc and sub. I'm no tech geek so dunno about performance etc but it's been working without any issues for a few months. They go on sale for about $160 for pack of 3 but I assume any similar mesh system would work.